In a way, we are always praying or making requests for what we want. Our thoughts and attitudes give off vibrations and Spirit, God, the universe (or whatever term we use for the conscious creative universal force) interpret our vibrations as what we like and returns more of the same to us.

It is always important to be aware of our thoughts and attitudes – for us, those around us, and for how we want the world to progress, but it is vital regarding what we want in life. If they are not congruent with what we want, we undermine the process.

Whether we are formally praying, requesting something in a meditation or from Spirit, or simply dreaming of what we want, we are answered in accordance with the quality of our general vibrations, as well as those we have around our desire.

All our thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions create vibrations. Our prayers, requests, and heartfelt desires are affected by our vibrations. Our vibrations change when we adjust our thoughts and attitudes. They are organic.

This article/blog post is based on concepts in my book Your Journey to Peace, Bridging the Gap Between Religion, Spirituality, Psychology, and Science. Book Synopsis is found here).

We Can Influence If, and to What Degree, Our Prayers Are Answered

What we have asked for and desire is not only affected by our vibrations at the time of our request, but also if our vibrations surrounding it change. To get the results we want, we must:

ensure that our vibrations are generally positive when praying;

believe that we are deserving of what we are requesting;

have faith that it can come about;

keep our thoughts and words around our desire or request positive;

ensure we do not undermine our original request;

be positive around the general theme of what we are desiring or asking for;

We must feel confident and deserving of what we are asking for. For example, if we applying for a new job, but think we will not get it or lie about our qualifications we are showing a lack of confidence in our self and our abilities.

If we second guess our request because we believe that what we request cannot come about, we lack faith in Spirit to deliver what we want.

We must keep our thoughts about what we have requested positive, but also talk only positively about it.

For example, if we have requested a loving life-partner, but talk negatively about that sex in general or about how we have been treated badly in the past, we are not setting ourselves up to attract someone loving and positive in our life. We can’t talk negatively about what we want and expect it to show up in a positive way.

Worrying about the outcome, being impatient and wanting it now, becoming obsessive about it, or conniving or manipulative to help bring about what we have prayed for shows a lack of faith that the universe is working on our request and can deliver.

Having negative attitudes about or being jealous of others who have what we want creates negative vibrations around our request.

For example, if we want to be successful in our career but are jealous or critical of others who are successful and wealthy, our vibrations about success are muddled. This affects the clarity of our request.

Any negative, faithless thoughts, attitudes, or even words undermine our request. They are inconsistent with what we are asking for, which creates vibrations that affect the outcome we desire.

They confuse Spirit as to what we want. Our desire may not be answered how we wish. Vibrations inconsistent with our original request can even have the effect of canceling it out completely.

Science and Religious Teachings are Looking to Each Other Again

Although talk of praying and vibrations may seem counterintuitive to the teachings of traditional religion whereby we pray to God for what we want and expect it to be delivered to us without any self-examination of how we may be blocking it, many within the religious communities are integrating scientific explanations with spiritual theories – as the ancients did.

In his talk “Miraculous Probabilities: The Science of Faith,” theologian Dr. Jim Richards tells us that “electromagnetic fields” are created around our prayers and requests. That it is our faith, confidence, and the clarity of our requests that allow them to be answered.

Others within the religious communities are also now teaching that we must have a positive mental atmosphere that is congruent with our request to help bring it about. (1)

We must fully believe that we are deserving of what we want, confident that it is possible, and be clear in our message.

Wishy-washy requests, second guessing ourselves, or having negative and/or limiting attitudes around the theme affect our vibrations and the electromagnetic fields we create that dictate if, and when, it comes about.

Our Requests Are Usually Granted – in Time

If our vibrations are positive and remain mostly consistent regarding our requests and it is within the realm of possibilities, our prayers are usually answered – at least in time.

I say usually, because sometimes we pray for things that are way off base from our soul’s journey, and they may not come to pass.

Still, most of our requests can be answered because our soul’s plan does not include the minor details, just general guidelines, such as dealing with our controlling tendencies.

However, some soul lessons that we came here to fulfill cannot be overruled, and if a certain request is not congruent with that, it will not happen.

We never know God’s full plan for our lives, and from our limited perspective we may feel we want something that will not ultimately serve us or that plan.

And patience is always vital when waiting for our prayers or requests to come about or our desires answered. The timing of elements surrounding what we want may include other people getting prepared or events or conditions falling in line.

Spirit works on many levels to make our requests happen, however the universe does not work in a vacuum. Things and circumstances must be lined up.

Pray in our Joy; Pray for Qualities; Give Appreciation.

As well as praying for things we want or what we want to happen, it is also beneficial to ask for qualities that will help us manage life’s difficult circumstances, become our best self, and grow spiritually: like patience, courage, guidance, wisdom, and discernment.

As Khalil Gibran suggests in his well-loved book, The Prophet, we should also pray when we are happy and satisfied in life.

You pray in your distress and in your need;

would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy

and in your days of abundance. —Khalil Gibran (2)

Thanking God, Spirit, the universe for what we have – being appreciative for all that has been bestowed upon us puts us in a receiving mode.

And in our prayers and requests the concept of “make me” instead of “give me” goes much further for our long-term happiness, contentment, and spiritual growth than asking for things.